Ken Broesder, 57, Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Friday, May 3, at his home in Rock Rapids following a short battle with cancer.
Services were Monday, May 6, at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. The Rev. Dan Haggar officiated. Burial with full military honors followed at Riverview Cemetery, Rock Rapids.
Kenneth Donald Broesder was born to Joseph and Adeline (Smook) Broesder on Dec. 23, 1944, in Luverne. He grew up on a farm near Rock Raids and graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1961. After high school he attended Northwest Iowa Technical College in Sheldon, Iowa, for two years where he completed the auto mechanics course. Upon his graduation he returned to Rock Rapids where he worked for Samuelson Motors.
In 1968 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and became a helicopter maintenance crewman. He received training in communications and flew on many helicopter supply and evacuation flights into combat zones as the maintenance/communica-tions operator. After his honorable discharge he returned to work in Rock Rapids.
He married Jeanne Baker on May 31, 1975, in Alexandria. Following their marriage they lived in Alexandria until moving back to Rock Rapids in 1976, when he opened his own business, Ken's Automotive. He retired on Oct. 1, 2001.
Mr. Broesder was a long-time member of First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids and a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed making bird houses and squirrel feeders.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Broesder, Rock Rapids,; one son, Jared Broesder, Sioux Falls, S.D.; one sister, Nancy (Ray) Klinkenborg, Rock Rapids, and their children, Joshua Pilcher and his wife, Amy, and Abby Klinkenborg; and one brother, Gary (Patricia) Broesder, and their children, Luke and Laurence, Rock Rapids.
Mr. Broesder was preceded in death by his parents.
Roste Funeral Home, Rock Rapids, was in charge of arrangements.